2017 Ford Escape

Sales-wise, the compact crossover segment is white-hot. So
competitors have to work extra hard not only to stand out from competitors but
to take the lead as well.

Ford does so in several ways with the 2017 Escape. Available
in base S, mid-level SE, and top-of-the-line Titanium trim levels, the
five-passenger vehicle
gets some major upgrades for the model year. Up front, new headlamps and a new
front grille give the vehicle a more aggressive look. Out back, there's a new
tailgate design and new taillights. New exterior colors Canyon Ridge, Lightning
Blue and White Gold join the already extensive paint choices.

The 2017 Escape sports several new features on the
electronics front. It's the first Ford to come with Sync Connect. This allows
owners to remotely access car systems like ignition or check the fuel level via
their smartphones. Owners can use the new feature to lock / unlock the doors or
locate the crossover in a crowded parking lot.

Available adaptive cruise control and collision warning with
brake support are also new.

The Escape is also the automaker's first major rollout of
its Auto Start-Stop technology. Aimed to reduce gas emissions and improve fuel
economy, this feature shuts off the engine when the crossover is at a stop like
a stoplight. It then restarts the motor when the vehicle's ready to move.

Two of the three engines powering the Escape are new. The
1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo can be found underneath the hood of the SE and
Titanium. A more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four is optional at both trim levels.
The base S continues to be powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine carrying
over from last year's model.

All three engines are mated to a six-speed automatic
transmission. The 2017 Ford Escape comes standard with front-wheel drive;
all-wheel drive is available.

"With its quick, precise steering and relatively sharp
reflexes, the 2016 Ford Escape is one of the segment's top athletes," writes Edmunds. "Some
compact crossovers feel tall and bulky from the driver seat, but the Escape
feels more like a sporty hatchback with a higher center of gravity. The driving
position is also elevated, of course, so you get that SUV-style commanding view
of the road, yet the Escape remains firmly planted to the pavement during quick
transitions. Fortunately, this dynamic character doesn't come at the expense of
ride comfort, which is quite good by class standards."